Sr. Paralegal, Franchise & Transactions

What You’ll Be Serving Up:

As Senior Associate Paralegal, Franchise, you will lead the execution and oversight of legal processes related to KFC US’s franchise administration, compliance, transfers, and renewals. You will serve as a strategic partner to internal stakeholders and franchisees, ensuring legal accuracy, operational alignment, and timely execution of franchise transactions. You will also supervise and mentor mid and junior-level paralegals, driving continuous improvement and excellence across the team.

Here’s How You’ll Spice Things Up:

Compliance and Oversight: 

• Lead and manage legal aspects of franchise transfers, restructures, renewals, and compliance matters and serve as main point of contact for cross-function partners regarding legal issues related to the same.
• Draft and coordinate the execution of various agreements related to new and renewing franchisees and licensees, including franchise agreements, license agreements, technology agreements, advertising agreements, amendments, extensions, renewal agreements, and related legal documents.
• Oversee the franchise renewal pipeline, collaborating with Finance, Development, and Operations to complete eligibility assessments and make non-renewal recommendations.
• Resolve franchisee default and termination issues in collaboration with Corporate Counsel, relevant business stakeholders, and outside counsel.
• Ensure compliance with franchise laws, brand standards, and internal policies

Transactional Matters:

• Partner with Finance, Development and Operations to fully vet proposed transfers between franchisees, for brand and co-brand units, and ensure transfer requirements and brand standards are met at the entity and deal level.
• Independently analyze franchisee transactional documents, such as ownership records, organizational charts, letters of credit, trust agreements, purchase agreements, and entity formation documents.
• Coordinate review, analysis and drafting with outside counsel, especially during complex transfers and restructures involving multiple restaurants, real estate transfers, trusts or voting trust agreements, or other complex matters. 
• Coordinate with franchisees and their counsel to ensure compliance with KFC US’s policies, procedures, and guidelines, elevating to counsel as appropriate.
• Prepare and distribute reports, memos and correspondence to internal and external parties in an accurate and timely manner.

Legal Administration: 

• Supervise the workflow and work product of mid- and junior level paralegal(s), providing guidance, training, and performance feedback.
• Maintain accurate and complete documentation and records relating to franchisees.
• Advise internal stakeholders on current processes, incentives, agreement provisions, and compliance with the same.
• Proactively identify and suggest ideas for continuous improvement to cross-functional franchising processes.
• Drive process improvements and technology adoption to streamline legal workflows.

What You Bring to the Table:

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year university, preferably in Legal studies, Paralegal studies, or a related field; Paralegal certificate preferred.
• Experience:
  • 8+ years of relevant work experience with Bachelor’s, or 6+ years with Master’s.
  • Franchise law experience required.
  • Prior leadership and supervisory experience preferred.
  • Corporate law experience preferred.
• Skills:
  • Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills. 
  • Proven ability to lead and inspire direct reports to achieve company objectives.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Excels at engaging and aligning cross-functional stakeholders; able to present effectively and professionally to senior leaders.
  • High attention to detail.
  • Strong analytical skills to interpret data and form action-able recommendations.
  • Exceptional project management capabilities, including driving great outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
  • Steadfast ability to act as the key person-to-contact in interactions with downstream stakeholders, including franchisees and customers.
    • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in dynamic environment with changing priorities and evolving legal issues. 
    • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, DocuSign, Smartsheet, and similar legal resource systems.
• Mindset:
  • Relentless in the pursuit of excellence and maintaining high standards.
  • Resourceful and adaptive in ambiguous situations with a proven ability to operate “in the grey.”
  • Resilient in the face of obstacles and persistent in driving towards results.
  • Thrive in a collaborative environment and excels at inspiring and developing team members.
  • Motivated to be part of a new and growing legal team.

What’s In It for You:

• Be at the forefront of franchise compliance and renewal processes, directly contributing to KFC’s operational success.
• Collaborate with high-performing teams across KFC US and franchise stakeholders to deliver impactful results.
• Shape franchise compliance strategies in a globally recognized brand, building expertise in legal processes and franchise operations.